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CLEVELAND, June 25 — Edward Wytkind, Executive Director of the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department, issued the following statement today following a private meeting between rail labor and Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta regarding the future of Amtrak (BLE International President Don M. Hahs, First Vice-President Ed Rodzwicz, and Vice-President & U.S. National Legislative Representative Raymond A. Holmes also participated in the meeting):

“We have just concluded a productive meeting with Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta and his leadership team.

“Our discussions focused on addressing immediately the severe financial crisis facing Amtrak, millions of riders in communities nationwide and the more than 23,000 employees of Amtrak.

“We were impressed with the Secretary’s focus in finding a short-term solution to the immediate cash crisis facing Amtrak… And we are confident that the Secretary is moving aggressively to avert Amtrak’s shutdown and to sustain the company’s cash needs through the end of the current fiscal year.

“What is clear is that Amtrak will prepare for an orderly shutdown unless a federal loan guarantee of more than $200 million is approved by the Department of Transportation or, alternatively, an emergency appropriation is enacted.

“We urged the Secretary to give us some breathing room… to provide a short-term fix — a $270 million loan guarantee — before the end of the week. Without a federal loan guarantee Amtrak’s trains will come to a screeching halt. We left today’s meeting with the feeling that the Secretary will work around the clock to avert this transportation emergency.

“The rail union leaders representing the vast majority of Amtrak’s workers also emphasized to the Secretary the fear and anxiety facing their members and the fact that despite the current situation the employees are dedicated to seeing Amtrak through this crisis.

“Lastly, we offered the support of the labor movement which is prepared to mobilize to keep Amtrak’s national rail passenger system running.”